The hosts left the field to a chorus of jeers, while Dundee United moved to within seven points of second-placed Aberdeen.

It was United's gifted Turk Ciftci who was first to threaten after 15 minutes, the play-maker's free-kick from distance deflecting against Forster and creeping wide.

Within five minutes the visitors were presented with a golden opportunity to open the scoring as Euan Norris awarded a contentious penalty.

Hanlon was certainly guilty of a clumsy foul on Ryan Dow, but television pictures showed the offence took place outside the area.

Nevertheless, on the advice of his assistant Stuart Macauley, Norris pointed to the spot. But justice was done as Ciftci produced a woeful penalty, with a straight run-up to a side-footed effort which Ben Williams, who stopped six out of the nine spot-kicks he faced last season, easily saved.

Nadir Ciftci celebrates (Image: SNS Group)

Williams was on hand to stop a Ciftci header minutes later, but, with the interval on the horizon, the former Portsmouth youngster finally found his range.

The 22-year-old out-muscled Hanlon inside the area before cutting inside Nelson and calmly slotting past Williams from 10 yards.

There was still time for Hibs to draw level as United keeper Cierzniak flapped at an Alex Harris corner, as his poor clearance rebounding against Forster and looping into the net.

United were immediately on the front foot after the break, with Mackay-Steven scuffing an early opportunity over the bar as he latched on to a Stuart Armstrong delivery.

Ciftci then curled a teasing effort just past a post as the visitors turned the screw.